James 4:7-10

April 14-18, 2008

Good morning! Before you start your time with God today, start by praying that God would open your eyes to the wonderful things in His Word through your study (Ps. 119:18). Then read the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.

As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: submit, resist, draw near, purify, miserable, humble, and exalt.

Passage for the week: James 4:7-10 (NASB)

7  Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
8  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
9 Be miserable and mourn and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom.
10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.


DIGGING DEEPER:


MONDAY

List all of the characteristics of God that you find in this passage (what God is like, His attributes).



What are the 9 commands that James gives us in these verses?



List all of the promises of God that you can find in this passage



TUESDAY

What does it mean to submit yourself to God?



How do you actually resist the devil? See 1 John 2:14 and 4:4 for some insight on this.



WEDNESDAY

What does God do when, in humility, you draw near to Him?



After we have drawn near to God and are close to Him, what will be our response?




How do we purify our hearts and cleanse our hands?




THURSDAY

Where else in the book of James is the word double-minded used? What does it mean?



What is the point of James telling us to be miserable, to mourn, and to weep? Why would we have a reason to do this? Read 2 Corinthians 7:8-11 for help on this.



FRIDAY

When we sin, it offends a holy God. Does your sin before God ever cause you to weep or do you just see it as no big deal?



As we repent and become humble before the Lord, what does the Lord promise to do for us?



Pick a verse or two from this passage and memorize it.



CHEW ON THIS:

James next shows us what humility looks like. Submit yourselves, then, to God. This means to “line up under.” James is using this word to describe a willing surrender to God’s authority as the One who is in control of everything. When we are truly humble, then we will then be able to be loyal to God, obey His commands, and follow His leadership in our lives.

James then tells us to “resist the devil.” This literally means “to take your stand against.” We are able to do this ONLY when we have submitted to God and are operating under His power. We need to remember that the devil is a defeated foe, and that Christ has already won the battle against him! When we take our stand against the devil in the power of God, he flees; he may threaten disaster, but it is all a lie. It only has power if believed.

In the next verse we are encouraged to come near to God. The picture is that of a person coming to offer sacrifice in the temple and coming near to God in the ceremony. We are told to wash our hands and purify our hearts. This is another OT picture (Ex. 30:19–21), illustrating the removal of sinful practices. The double-minded is the person who tries to serve both God and the world needs to have a heart that is completely devoted to God alone. These actions should be also be accompanied by a mourning and a sorrow for our sin against God. Repentance consists of sorrow for sin plus a turning from sin and, where possible, making restitution for the damage caused by one’s sin.

However, James does not leave us there in our sadness over our sin. James includes promises within his call to repentance. As we come near to God, God will come near to us. He will lift us up and will not leave a humble heart mourning! He will accept our repentant heart and respond with His love, raising us up from our mourning into the warmth of His love.


For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

James 4:1-6

Good morning! I wanted to let you all know that I will be changing our “chew on its” a little bit to make them more effective for you. We will be focusing on one passage each week so we can really chew on what the passage is saying as opposed to just “covering the material.” The whole purpose behind this devotional is not to just stuff your inbox with tons of e-mails each week that you don’t have the time to read or digest. My desire is that all of us will truly dig deeply into the Word of God, discover its life-giving truth, and then seek to live it out in our everyday lives.

Here’s how it will work. I will send you a few questions to answer each day to get us all to dig deeper into the passage we are studying. Take your time and don’t rush! Push everything else out of your mind and focus on listening to what God is saying to you! Once we have worked through the passage, I will e-mail you the “CHEW ON THIS” section later in the week to encourage you in your study.

As we take apart one passage a week, this will allow us to post discussion topics (on Facebook) as well as encourage others with the principles that God is teaching us. This will help us to fulfill Hebrew 10:24 which says, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works” (NLT).

Start by praying that God would open your eyes to the wonderful things in His Word through your study (Ps. 119:18). Then read the passage slowly, taking notes on what God is teaching you through His Word, and answer the questions.

As you read this week's passage, look for these words or phrases: conflicts, war, lust, ask, motives, friendship, enemy of God, the Spirit, grace, proud, and humble.


Passage for the week: James 4:1-6 (NASB)

1 What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?
2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.
3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.
4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us?”
6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”


DIGGER DEEPER:


MONDAY

List all of the characteristics of God that you find in this passage (what God is like, His attributes).



What are the questions that James asks in the passage? What is the point of all of these questions?



TUESDAY

What does James mean by “pleasures?”




What does James mean by “you lust” or “you covet”? What were they coveting?



WEDNESDAY

James calls his readers “adulteresses.” Why does he address them in this way? (Hint: "friendship with the world")



James’ mentions fights and quarrels in his rebuke of his readers? What did this fighting look like?




THURSDAY

In James 1:6, James writes that prayer must be conducted in faith. What does he say about prayer in James 4:2-3? What two ways were his readers sinning in the area of prayer?


To whom does God give grace and why? Does your behavior reflect this reality?



FRIDAY

Read Luke 15:11-32. What insight does this give to the condition of James’ readers who asked that they might spend what God gives them on their pleasures?



James warns against being a friend of the world. Where else in his epistle does he speak about this? Where else in the Bible is this spoken of? (ex. 1 John 2)



Pick a verse or two from this passage and memorize it.



CHEW ON THIS:

James paints a picture of the church as he saw it: they were fighting and arguing, battling, killing (with words) and coveting. Wow! Does any of this sound familiar? Unfortunately, this picture is not too far from what we see in the church today! The church should be a place of love, encouragement, friendship, and service. However, it is our desires to please ourselves that get in the way of this. All of those who were fighting in James’ church probably felt like they were doing the right thing, but James tells them God’s perspective on the situation. The source of these conflicts is not found in their love of God but to their desires, the evil impulses that we have already learned about in James 1:14–15. The same goes for us as well!

All of this arguing is fruitless: they do not get what they want, because you do not ask God. “But I do pray!” might be your response. “You pray, but it is not effective, for your motives are wrong.” We are not seeking God’s will or God’s wisdom, but our own will. In other words, we come to God saying, “God bless my plans.” Instead of us focusing on God’s plans, our motives are wrapped up in our own desires and pleasures. God’s goal is not to give us what our own impulses demand. His goal is that we will learn to love what He loves. It is not that God does not want people to have pleasure, but that he wants to train them to take pleasure in what He knows is truly good.

In claiming to trust in God and yet living according to their own desires, James calls these people adulterers. They were being unfaithful to God and had been focusing their love on the world. When we try to become a friend of the world you are actually God’s enemy! Sure, we are still in the world as “salt” and “light,” but we are not to be of the world. At this point James talks about how God jealously longs for the spirit He made to live in us. That means that God gave to each person their spirit and He jealously longs for pure love in return (see Exodus 20:5–6). You cannot serve God and the world!

James’s argument might drive people to despair because of their sin. However, we find hope in verse 6! James claims that God offers more grace rather than condemnation, to the believer who is humble and repents. To back this up James quotes Proverbs 3:34, also quoted in 1 Peter 5:5: God does give grace to the humble! This grace that God gives is a grace that is sufficient for every struggle we are facing or any need we have.

So, let’s make our church a place where there is a genuine love for one another, a committed love for God, and a true heart of humility that will be ready receive God’s grace!


For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

James 3:16-18

March 31, 2008

Good morning! I hope that this study in James has been encouraging for you. Instead of moving ahead, I believe that it would be very profitable to go back over chapters 1-3 this week. I don't want us to lose sight of the entire message that God is communicating to us. So, go through the last 3 chapters and meditate on what God has taught you so far and how it has changed you from the inside out. Remember, you are meeting with God Himself and He is meeting with you!

Enjoy your time with God today and don't forget to share what you are learning with others. It may be just what they needed to hear! We will begin chapter 4 next week.
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As you read today's passage, look for these words or phrases: jealousy, selfish ambition, wisdom, gentleness, mercy, and fruit.


Passage for the day: James 3:16-18 (NASB)

16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing.
17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.


Questions for thought: Take a few moments to answer these questions before you go on to the next section.


What does jealousy and selfish ambition lead to according to verse 16?



What does true wisdom from above look like according to verse 17?


How is the wisdom in verse 17 contrasted with the wisdom of verse 15? You can notice a progression in this verse. Meditate on each characteristic and evaluate whether your life demonstrates this kind of wisdom (pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy).


Explain the picture given in verse 18. How is the seed planted? Who are the ones who plant it?



CHEW ON THIS:

James picks up right where he left off in this passage. Envy and selfish ambition are seen as the “secret agents” behind evil and disorder in the church. It is no wonder since this kind of attitude comes from a wisdom that finds its source in hell itself! But is this situation any wonder? Envy and selfish ambition will destroy our church if we do not take action. The way we do this is to live out the wisdom of God! James shows us in this passage exactly what wisdom from above will look like: pure, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. This wisdom is, first of all, pure. The pure religion of James 1:27 has this wisdom as the source of its purity. This pure, divine wisdom leads to the second dimension as peaceable or “peace-loving.” This fruit of wisdom which counteracts the disorder caused by envy— reminds us of the blessing of those who are the peacemakers, which Jesus taught us in Matthew 5:9. Those who make peace are committed to the unity of the body of Christ, and not seeking to divide or break up the fellowship we have with one another. In other words, peacemakers are unity-protectors! In this progression, the next fruit of God’s wisdom is quality of gentleness or the act of being “considerate.” This wisdom, when applied, is seen in Proverbs 15:1 – “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” We also see this same exhortation in Titus 3:2. The gentleness of Jesus Christ is the greatest example, especially as He hung from the cross, forgiving those who sought to kill Him. Along with gentleness comes reasonableness, or a willingness to yield or submit. This reveals a teachable and humble spirit. Beyond that, James tells us that this divine wisdom is linked to the virtue of fruit-bearing faith. When we are living this way, our lives will produce a harvest of mercy and good fruit. Mercy forgives others and does not hold sins against them – when it is not deserved. Mercy is also to act generously to others – especially those in need. James then builds upon this good fruit by telling us that divine wisdom will result in a life that is unwavering and genuine. This means that we are people of integrity whose actions match our words.

James ends this chapter by telling us that the ones who have this kind of wisdom from God are called “peacemakers.” Peacemakers act like a sower who sows the seed of peace. Like God, who sows the seed of the living Word (cf. Matt 13:19), believers are to sow peaceable deeds that will produce a harvest of righteousness. These acts that make for peace are the deeds of mercy, as we show genuine love for one another.

How will you live out these truths this week? Will you be someone who is filled with the wisdom of God? If you are, then it will be evidenced in your genuine actions of peace, gentleness, and mercy toward others!


For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

James 3:13-15

March 28, 2008

As you read today's passage, look for these words or phrases: wise, gentleness, jealousy, and selfish ambition.

Passage for the day: James 3:13-15 (NASB)

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.
15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.


Questions for thought: Take a few moments to answer these questions before you go on to the next section.


What is the difference between “understanding” and “wisdom?” See Proverbs 9:10 for help on this one.



What does James mean by “gentleness of wisdom?” Give a practical example.



What is bitter jealousy and selfish ambition? What are you jealous about and why? Is that true wisdom with gentleness? If not, what steps do you need to take to change?



Why do you think that James describes earthly wisdom as demonic in verse 15?


CHEW ON THIS:

In these verses, James introduces us to true wisdom. Those who are truly wise and have knowledge according to God’s standards will prove it by attitudes and good actions. So what is understanding and wisdom? Understanding comes from getting to know God and seeing His wisdom in action. Understanding knows where to how to get wisdom and why wisdom is worth getting. Wisdom takes that knowledge of God and applies it in everyday life. Wisdom knows what is good and knows how to do the good, as a result of knowing God. Wisdom then concerns the conduct of one’s life. Wisdom from God gives birth to deeds and a way of life that grows in understanding.

However, there is another kind of wisdom – the kind that is found here on earth. The character of this kind of wisdom is bitter envy and selfish ambition. It is also seen as earthly, natural, and demonic! Wow. James is really going for shock value in these verses! He does not want us to miss the comparison. Any wisdom that does not come from God is not worth getting. It is Satanic and will result in a life of jealousy and selfishness. This is in complete contrast to the wisdom God gives, which results in a life that is characterized by gentleness and humility. We see this lived out even in the Garden of Eden, when Adam and Eve sinned. They listened to Satan’s so-called “words of wisdom” and it resulted in selfish ambition – not a life of humble submission and obedience to God’s words of wisdom. The words from Proverbs 14:12 characterizes this “wisdom” as well as any in the Bible: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”

So where are getting your wisdom to live your life? Don’t buy into the lie that the world’s wisdom has all of the answers! Only the wisdom of God will give you what you need – and it can only be acquired by getting to know Him. Let's be committed to knowing God and then humbly obeying Him with our actions and attitudes.


For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

James 3:7-12

March 26, 2008

As you read today's passage, look for these words or phrases: tongue, tame, bless, and curse.


Passage for the day: James 3:7-12 (NASB)

7 For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by the human race.
8 But no man can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God;
10 From the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
11 Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?
12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh.


Questions for thought: Take a few moments to answer these questions before you go on to the next section.


James says that no man can tame the tongue. How does this relate to Psalm 141:3 and Proverbs 21:23?

According to James, is the root of the problem of evil speech in the mouth or tongue? What does Matthew 15:11, Mark 7:20-23, and Luke 6:45 say about the tongue?


Why ought not both blessing (praising) and cursing to come from the same mouth? Explain.



Do you bless God with your words and then use your words to curse and destroy others? How you will guard yourself from sinning with your tongue this week? What is your plan?



CHEW ON THIS:

If you have not gotten the picture already – WAKE UP! Your tongue – the words you speak have incredible power! Here James emphasizes what we learned in the previous verses. Even though man has been able to tame wild beasts, no man can tame the tongue. The tongue is not like the domesticated animal, technology, or even wild beasts. There is nothing that a man can do in his own strength to control this great power within him – the power of speech. The tongue, the power of speech, is a restless evil and deadly poison. WOW! Now that is some harsh language. However, it is the real picture of what our tongues are capable of doing. We are capable of using our words to destroy and poison others. But where does this poison and evil come from? According to Christ’s words in Matthew 15:11, Mark 7:20-23, and Luke 6:45, it all stems from the heart. So where is the hope of ever being able to control our speech and change our heart?

As you read earlier in Psalm 141:3 and Proverbs 21:23, the answer is that we must look to God for control. We also read in Galatians 5:16 about walking in the Spirit so that we won’t fulfill the desires of our flesh. God has given us the power to change and the hope we need to keep going! Without Him, we are hopeless. With Him, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13)!

James also confronts us on how the tongue can praise God one moment and curse others the next. This blessing is the act of speaking in adoration of your God in both private prayer and in the public assembly of the believers. To use the gift of speech to praise the Lord is the proper use of the tongue. But at nearly the same moment the same tongue turns against others who have been “made in God’s likeness” and curses them, while professing faith in God. You’ve seen this happen. You’re in church on Sunday praising God with your fellow Christians, and then on Monday you are using the same tongue that praised God to curse and destroy others. Just as fresh water and bitter water cannot flow from the same source, blessing and cursing should not flow out of our mouths.

Why is this such a BIG deal? We are taking the tongue that God gave us to praise Him and using it for our own ends. We are all made in the image of God and when we use our words to tear down each other, we are really dishonoring God Himself! Let’s seek to build and encourage each other and use our words to bring honor to God today.


For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

James 3:1-6

March 24, 2008

As you read today's passage, look for these words or phrases: teachers, horses, ships, tongue, and fire.


Passage for the day: James 3:1-6 (NASB)


1 Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment.
2 For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
3 Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.
4 Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
5 So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
6 And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell.



Questions for thought: Take a few moments to answer these questions before you go on to the next section.


Why are teachers held to a stricter judgment?


Look at the examples of horses and ships in verses 3-4. You can bridle and lead horse, and you can steer, but how do you bridle or control your tongue?



James uses the example of a little fire that starts out small, but quickly turns into a blaze that destroys and wreaks havoc on anything in its path. How can someone use their tongue to do this kind of damage to others? In other words, what are your words capable of doing?



Read verse 6 again. What is the tongue compared to? What is it capable of doing to you?




CHEW ON THIS:

James begins the third chapter by talking about those who desire to teach. He is not telling us that desiring to teach is wrong or sinful – only that those who teach are going to be held accountable by God. We know that all of us will be held accountable by God for our lives, but James’ message here is those who teach will be judged with even greater severity. But what kind of judgment, you may ask? We are left without an answer, since James does not say. However, it serves as a warning shot to all of us who are teaching the Word of God – God is not absent, but is watching us and will keep us accountable.

The next statement is all-inclusive: everyone stumbles and sins in many ways, falling short of what is taught and required by the Lord. This statement balances the warning of the previous verse. Even teachers stumble at times – as well as those who do not teach. James wants us to keep all of this in perspective so that we will learn control our tongues.

This leads us into the next section, which contains some very powerful and graphic illustrations of the tongue. The tongue is compared to a ship and a horse. A controlled tongue is like the bit under the horse’s tongue by which the rider controls the entire horse. Just as the rider can control the horse, the body’s willfulness and appetites can be controlled. Though a horse is much larger than a human being, the rider is able to make the horse obey by employing a small, simple device. As we have learned already in James, it is wisdom from God that provides the capacity for bringing usefulness out of these things, whether they are the physical body, institutions, or movements of people. Only if the Word of God is actively applied to the situation will there be the guidance required for virtuous action and beneficial results.

The bringing under control of a very large object by a small but effective instrument hardly could have been better expressed than by the analogy of the ship and the rudder. Against the wind an immense, rudderless boat is uncontrollable. Out on the sea, without a mechanism for steering, the pilot would have no way of keeping the ship on any course. The ship would be tossed and driven with the wind and the waves. But with the rudder, the will of the pilot is sufficient to direct the ship.

James pointed to the small size of the rudder. Like the small bit in the horse’s mouth, the rudder, James said, is among the smallest of instruments on the ship. The rudder’s size is insignificant by comparison to the rest of the parts of the ship. The effectiveness of the instrument is what counts. Even in the harshest winds the boat will turn in the direction the pilot desires. The tongue, representing the believer’s speech, is not easily mastered. But the tongue must be mastered by acquiring the great skills of wisdom through careful and diligent study of God’s Word. Only by such study can the skill to face the great issues of life be obtained.

However, as James tells us, if our tongue is uncontrolled and left to do as it pleases, evil speech will result. As such, evil speech proves its true nature as an extension of hell itself! In a most powerful image, the fire that is the little tongue, a little spark that causing great fires and destruction, has its source from the wickedness of hell. This should cause us to re-evaluate our speech and how we are using our tongues. Just as the tongue has the power to destroy, it also has great power to build up and encourage!

How are you using your tongue today? Let's seek to build each other up with our tongues today instead of using it to destroy!


For His Name,

Pastor Stephen

James 2:21-26

February 22-29, 2008

Today’s “Chew On It” is a lot to digest all at once, so I recommend that we meditate on this passage for the next week. So, take a deep breath and enjoy the ride. Feel free to take your time on these verses and in answering the questions. There are two Bible characters that are mentioned that require us to go back to the Old Testament and read their stories of faith in God. Also, there are some things in this passage that need to be resolved with the whole context of Scripture. It’s comforting to know that God did not just intend for us to understand the easy passages of Scripture, but even the hard ones! With the Holy Spirit’s illumination and power, we are able to grasp these truths and live them out! If you are able to do so, discuss this passage with your family and study it together.


Since I will be gone on the TCS Senior Mission Trip from March 2-8, we will begin James 3 when I return. In the meantime, chew on James 2:21-26, and then go back and read over the James 1-2. You will be surprised at how much you will grow by reading God’s Word over and over so that it works itself into your mind, heart, and actions. Until then, keep on chewing on the Word!

As you read today's passage, look for these words or phrases: faith, works, Abraham, justified, and Rahab.

Passage for the day: James 2:21-26 (NASB)

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar?
22 You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected;
23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God.
24 You see that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone.
25 In the same way, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.


Questions for thought: Take a few moments to answer these questions before you go on to the next section.

Take some time and read Genesis 22:1-18 and compare it to James 2:21. How is this a good example of faith producing works?



In light of this story, how would you have responded in Abraham’s situation? Would you have trusted God completely even though it did not make sense?



Read Romans 4:1-5 (below) and then answer this question: Why was Paul using the example of Abraham and why was James using it, for what purpose?

“Abraham was, humanly speaking, the founder of our Jewish nation. What did he discover about being made right with God? If his good deeds had made him acceptable to God, he would have had something to boast about. But that was not God’s way. For the Scriptures tell us, ‘Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.’ When people work, their wages are not a gift, but something they have earned. But people are counted as righteous, not because of their work, but because of their faith in God who forgives sinners.” - Romans 4:1-5 NLT




How do you reconcile verse 24 in light of Ephesians 2:8-9? Is James promoting a works-based salvation?



How was Abraham “reckoned to God”? How can a sinner be called “the friend of God”?



Read Joshua 2:1-21 and Hebrews 11:30-31. How did Rahab live out her faith in midst of a culture that hated God and the Israelites? What made her different?



Chew on this:

James takes us now to an example of true faith showing itself in works. God regarded Abraham as righteous for offering up his son Isaac. By this time, Abraham was already a believer in God, since he had faith in God’s promise in Genesis 15:1-6. But at this point, Abraham’s belief in God was put to the ultimate test. Abraham obeyed the command of God that tested him by an extraordinary trial. By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son. What would go through your mind if you were Abraham, knowing that you were about to kill the promised son you had waited for? How would you respond as God asks you to go all the way with your faith in Him? You see, Abraham proved that he was justified and that he was a righteous man, based on the works that were produced.

We must look at this from the whole context of Scripture, so we can see clearly what the Apostle Paul and James wrote, and how they are not in conflict with each other. The difference of perspective rests in this: James looked to the Abraham story to show how genuine faith operates, while Paul looked to the Abraham story to show how God is willing to forgive sinners. In salvation, God must work in us (since we are dead in our sins) in order for us to believe and trust in Him as Savior. And, because of that working in our hearts, we are then able to respond in faith to God. Our justification by faith is seen in our actions, but those actions would not be present if it was not for God working in us.

After salvation, we see this process continue. In Philippians 2:12-13, we are told to work out our own salvation and then we discover that it is God who works in us to give us the desire and the ability to carry out His good pleasure for our lives. Here in James, we are told repeatedly that faith without works is useless and dead. But remember – you are dead in the water without God giving you the strength and grace to have faith in Him and see that faith lived out in your life.

Abraham’s faith was made complete by his actions, or literally, “his faith works.” James wanted it known that without action, faith cannot be complete. There is an important connection between deeds that complete faith and perseverance itself. Abraham’s actions were his perseverance in faith. It showed that his faith was genuine. True faith will always show itself in works.

James also gives us an unlikely example of “Rahab the prostitute” to emphasize that our faith must be real. Ironically, Rahab is mentioned in the “Hall of Faith” in Hebrews 11, so evidently her faith was something God wanted us to learn from. As her title shows, she was not someone who had a great past. But, God saw her faith in Him by the way she mercifully hid the Israelite spies from her own countrymen and cared for their needs before the destruction of Jericho. She showed true faith in that she recognized the truth of God in his works of delivering Israel, and she demonstrated that faith, even though her life was in danger. This is a great reminder to us of the mercy of God – when we put our faith and trust in God, He will not reject us because of what we have done in the past.

James wraps up this passage by presenting an image of a body without a spirit. Without the spirit, the body has no life. Without works, faith is dead. Keep in mind that works do not justify you in God’s sight, but prove that your faith is real – toward others inside and outside the church. I pray that we would all have a growing and working faith!


For His Name,

Pastor Stephen